Printer&#39;s matrix and method of manufacture



Jan. 15, 1935. C. A, s'nMPsQN ET AL 1,988,094

PRINTERS MATRIX AND ME-'EHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed Aug. 31, 1931 2 Sheets-SheecI 1 bnbl svslJ CLARENCE A. .5T/MASON, 650/165 j?. 721/. L E/t, gw fam/Aw 77. MA /Ac/f M @dammi Jan* 15, 1935l c. A. sTlMPsoN'E-r Al. 1,988,094

PRINTER S MATRIX AND METHOD 0F MANUFACTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 51, 1931 l/l/l/ "y Patented Jan. l5, 1935 PRINTERS MATRIX AND METHOD 0F MANUFACTURE Clarence A.. Stimpson,` Lakewood, and George H. glllller and Edward R. Marbach, Cleveland,

Application August 31', 191, serial No.

\. f 13 claims.

This invention relates to a printers matrix and method of manufacturing the same; this therefore is the general object of the invention.

More specifically the invention relates to the duced by the the method of manufacturing the same.

In the past it has been customary totlrst set 10 up type, by the linotype or other similar processes and collect the type in a suitable flat chase.

Moistened or steamed paper, or fibrous material was then pressed into contact with the chase molding it to the irregularities of the characters non-printing portions.

The distorting or bulging was caused by the 35 pressure of the molten metal against the dey other step in our strips of paper. This required a period of sev-y eral minutes, and even then theresult was more or less imperfect.

One of the objects of our invention therefore is to provide a matrix and method of manufacture of the same which will eliminate manual packing operations,'and also shorten the time of producing the matrix to a few seconds, and also produce clear cut printing lines over the entire matrix area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method same, as diagrammatically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The essential and t novel characteristicsof the invention will be set forth in the claims.

Referring again to the drawings; Figure 1 is a view of our improved matrix, as prepared for a stereotype printing member; z

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan of a printing chase or form illustrating the first stepsln the forming of our improved matrix;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan on an enlarged scale of a portion of a packing member used in our `impmved matrix;

Figure 4 is a section through a type chase and matrix, showing another, step in our improved method;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of another step in our improved method;

Figure 6 is a section similar to Figure 4 but illustrates the matrix'- after the operation illustrated in Figure 5 has been performed;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of animprovedmethod;

Figure 8 is a section 'similar to Figures 4 and 6, but illustrating the matrix after the opera# tion indicated in matrix before and after drying, respectively;

Figure 11 is a diagram, illustrating the drying operation;

Figure 12 isa diagrammatic illustration of the casting operation;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the casting mechanism illustrating the eiect of our improved matrix on the type or printing segment; y

,Figure 11 is a Section similar to Figure 13, but 55 illustrating the effects of matrices used in the past on the printing segment.

In general 4our method comprises the application of a backing or packing sheet to the matrix before the matrix material is molded to the irregularities of the type form and then after the matrix has been molded, removing the excess backing material so that the rear face of the matrix will present a flat smooth surface to the molding sheet or support.

The type chase of form 10, from which our improved matrix is made, comprises the usual rectangular chase 11, within the confines of which, the type Amembers 12 are locked firmly in place, the entire form resting on a fiat table The first step in the manufacture of our improved matrix comprises the placing of the usual laminated matrix paper 15 on the face of the form 10. This matrix paper 15 has previously been moistened or steamed, to permit it to be molded to the irregularities of the type 12 without cracking. On top of the matrix paper 15 we apply a second or packing sheet 16. This packing sheet 16 is made of a fibrous material, or paper, preferably softer and looser woven than the matrix paper 15. The form 10 together with the matrix and packing sheets 15 and 16 respectively is placed on a table 17; a sheet of soft material such as cork or sponge rubber 18 is placed over the form 10.

The form4 together with its superimposed sheets 15, 16 and 18 is then passed between a pair of rollers 19 and 20, which are urged toward each other by suitable compression springs 21, (Figure 5). I This causes both the matrix 15 and the packing sheet 16 to be molded to the irregularities of the type form, as indicated in section in Figure 6. The sponge rubber sheet 18 is then removed and the matrix is ready for the next operation.

The molding operation leaves the exposed face 22 of the packing material irregular, conforming to some extent to the irregularities of the type form 10, as shown in Figure 6. However we next trim the packing material so that the rear face 23 of the matrix will present a smooth regular surface to the supporting surface of the casting-mechanism. To accomplish this we may use, as diagrammatically shown in Figure 7, a roller 25 arranged to be rotated at a comparatively high rate of speed. The roller 25 extends the entire width of the matrix, and its periphery is coyered'with an abrasive material 26 such as sand paper or the like. The matrix is then passed under this roll thereby removing the excess packing material 18. We find it convenient to remove al1 of the packing material that can be removed without disturbing the matrix paper. This 'grinding operation is preferably done before the matrix is removed from the form although it can readily be done afterward.

After the excess packing material is removed the matrix is dried to remove all the moisture therefrom and prevent steam from causing undesired irregularities or pockets in the casting. To dry the matrix it is lightly pressed into engagement with a heated form 30 (Figure 11) by a wire screen 31. The form 30 as shown is semi-cylindrical hence the matrix is bent as it is applied to this form. This shapes the matrix for the usual stereotype casting. However if the casting is to be used on a flat bed press thi; form 30 would be at to so shape the mat As noted from Figures 9 and 10 the matrix shrinks during the drying operation. We have found that the packing material must be more loosely woven and of considerably softer texture than the matrix material. Hence it is diiicult to provide a packing material which will shrink exactly the same amount as the matrix material.

The problem presented therefore was to so arrange the packing sheet 16 that the discrepancy in relative shrinking between it and the would either be eliminated, or so controlled that it would not affect the matrix. We have found that by perforating the packing material the errors due to the shrinking would be confined to comparatively small areas and were not accumulated. This therefore eliminates, for all practical purposes, the discrepancies between the relative shrinking of the packing sheet 16 and the matrix sheet 15.

As shown in the drawings and especially Figure 3, the packing sheet 16 is provided with a plurality of comparatively small perforations 40. We find it advantageous to make these perforations in two series or rows 41 and 42, normal to each other. As shown the perforations are about one sixteenth of an inch in diameter and the rows are spaced about three sixteenths of an inch apart. These distances are not however entirely essential and vary when different kinds of packing and material are used.

After the matrix is dried it is placed in a casting form 50, the exposed face of the packing (the rear face 51 of the matrix) is placed against a complementary shaped smooth surface 52. The front face 53 of the matrix is spaced apart from the opposite wall 54 of the form 50, a distance equivalent to the desired thickness for the cast. Molten metal 55, stored in a suitable melting pot is then permitted to flow into the form 50 between the face 53 of the matrix and the wall 54 of the form, thereby casting the type segment.

The value of our seen from Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 is a horizontal section through the casting mechanisrn 50 illustrating our improved matrix and the cast 70 made therefrom. It will be noted that the rear face is regular, smooth and entirely complementary 52 of the casting form 50 and presents a solid section to the front face of the matrix at any point.

Figure 14 illustrates a matrix as commonly used in the past in a similar casting form 50a. The lack of a solid matrix structure permits the metal to bulge the matrix thereby changing the contour of the printing portions 'Z5 of the cast. In some instances such as indicated at '76 the metal forces the matrix 15a back against the wall 52a of the casting form and that portion '16a of the cast is then at the printing elevation which results in smudging of the printed mate- While we have described our packing sheet 16 as an independent sheet of paper it can neversuitable adhesive thereby eliminate the handling of this extra sheet of material.

The operation of passing the form and superposed sheets through the rollers can be performed so quickly that the time therefor is also negligible. The grinding operation following immediately after the 4molding operation, since both operations are performed by rollers, the taneously molding both sheets to the irregularigrinding can begin almost continuous with the ties of the form, grinding the perforated sheet claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, placing it on top of the first sheet, simultanekl is:

l. The method of' manufacturing a printers of the form, grinding the perforated sheet until matrix which comprises placing a sheet of maportions of the first sheet are exposed and theref trix material on top of a form, placing a second by provide the matrix with a comparatively sheet on top of the matrix material, molding smooth surface, and thereafterremoving both surface. placing it on top of `the rst sheet, molding 2. The method of making a printers matrix both sheets to the irregularities of the form, rewhich comprises placing a sheet of matrix mamoving a portion of the perforated sheet leaving on top of the first sheet, molding both sheets matrix comprising placing on a form a lamimatrix with a comparatively smooth surface. posed and thermatrix is provided with a com- 30 ing both sheets to the irregularities of the form, material on the rst named sheet, molding both 35 comprising placing a sheet of matrix material first named sheet which were raised during the 40 simultaneously molding both sheets to the irregsheet, o ularities of the form, grinding the perforated tially the same thickness throughout its entire sheet leaving that surface of the matrix comarea but deformed out of its original plane by the form, grinding the lamination on one side lamination, and wherein, both' of said last named 50 the form and drying it. same plane.

13. A printers matrix comprising a laminated comprising placing asheet of dampened material sheet, one of said laminations being of subof the form, removing a portion of the perfonation and having the raised surfaces projectrial on a form, perforating a sheet of material CLARENCE A. S'I'IMPSON. having a looser texture than the rst sheet GEORGE H. FULLER. and placing it on top of the rst sheet, simul- EDWARD R. MARBACH. 

